All Roll Calls
Yes: 165 • No: 48
UtahH.B. 3922026 General SessionHouse
District Court Amendments
Sponsored By: Matt MacPherson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judicial AdministrationCourtsJudicial OperationsAttorney GeneralJudgesCivil Litigation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Attorney general can join constitutional challenges
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah’s attorney general has an unconditional right to join district court civil cases challenging a statute’s constitutionality. This right applies after the attorney general receives notice under the court’s rules. The Legislature keeps its separate unconditional right to join.
Court panels get random assignments and staff
Before March 7, 2026, Utah’s Judicial Council must establish rules for randomly assigning judges to three-judge panels. The rules must cover replacements when judges are disqualified, step aside, or a party uses its right to change judges. The Council must maintain an eligible list containing at least 50% of district court judges from each district. It must post the list, each judge’s panel-service dates, and the number of times each judge has served. Beginning May 6, 2026, the Council must hire a coordinator and staff to help the panels; no staffing cost is stated.
State parties can require three-judge panels
Beginning May 6, 2026, designated state leaders can require three judges to hear district court civil cases involving state parties. A state entity or an official acting in an official role must be a party. The Legislature can file the notice when it, a legislative committee, or a member acting in that role is a party. The governor can file when the governor or an executive-branch state official is a party. The attorney general can file when a party or representing a party. The notice cannot be challenged or reviewed by a court. Judges come from different districts and decide by majority. All three hear trials, injunctions, temporary restraining orders, and motions that could end the case, a claim, or a defense. A chief judge designated by the Judicial Council’s presiding officer generally handles other proceedings. Usual statutory rules placing cases in particular districts or counties do not apply. Appeals from panel judgments and orders eligible for appeal before final judgment go directly to the Utah Supreme Court. That court cannot send these appeals to the Court of Appeals.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matt MacPherson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/13/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 55 • No: 16
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 56 • No: 15
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
2/13/2026House/ to Governor
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/13/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/13/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/13/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/13/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/13/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/13/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/13/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/13/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/12/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/12/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/12/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/12/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/11/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/11/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/11/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/11/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/11/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/6/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/6/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/13/2026
Substitute #3
2/11/2026
Substitute #2
2/4/2026
Substitute #1
2/3/2026
Introduced
1/27/2026